Prevalence of vegetation browning in China’s drylands under climate change

Vegetation greening has long been acknowledged,but recent studies have pointed out that vegetation greening is possibly stalled or even reversed.However,detailed analyses about greening reversal or increased browning of vegetation remain scarce.In this study,we utilized the normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)as an indicator of vegetation to investigate the trends of vegetation greening and browning(monotonic,interruption,and reversal)through the breaks for the additive season and trend(BFAST)method across China’s drylands from 1982 to 2022.It also reveals the impacts of ecological restoration programs(ERPs)and climate change on these vegetation trends.We find that the vegetation displays an obvious pattern of east-greening and west-browning in China’s drylands.Greening trends mainly exhibits monotonic greening(29.8%)and greening with setback(36.8%),whereas browning shows a greening to browning reversal(19.2%).The increase rate of greening to browning reversal is 0.0342/yr,which is apparently greater than that of greening with setback,0.0078/yr.This research highlights that,under the background of widespread vegetation greening,vegetation browning is pro-gressively increasing due to the effects of climate change.Furthermore,the ERPs have significantly increased vegetation coverage,with the increase rate in 2000-2022 being twice as much as that of 1982-1999 in reveg-etation regions.Vegetation browning in southwestern Qingzang Plateau is primarily driven by adverse climatic factors and anthropogenic disturbances,which offset the efforts of ERPs.

Changes of China’s Status in the Global System and Its Influencing Factors:A Multiple Contact Networks Perspective

Clarifying China’s position in the global system is an important logical basis for developing national diplomacy.Although much research has been done on China’s development status,most studies have been based on country comparisons or institutional en-vironment.In today’s networked era in which the global economy,trade,personnel,and information are closely connected,studies on China’s global position and its status changes and influencing factors in multiple contact networks are still insufficient.In this study,from the perspective of diverse global contact networks,we constructed economic,cultural,and political influence indices to explore the changes and influencing factors on China’s status in the global system from 2005 to 2018.The results show that during the study period,China’s global influence in the fields of economic ties,cultural exchanges,and political contacts increased significantly,but its influ-ence in the fields of cultural exchanges and political contacts lagged far economic ties.The pattern of China’s economic influence on various economies around the world has shown a transformation from an‘upright pyramid’to an‘inverted pyramid’structure.The proportion of these economies in low-influence zones has decreased from more than 60%in 2005 to less than 20%in 2018.China’s cultural and political influence on various economies around the world has increased significantly;however,for the former,the percentage of high-influence areas is still less than 20%,whereas for the latter the percentage of these economies in medium-and high-influence areas is still less than 50%.Analyses such as a scatter plot matrix show that geographical proximity,economic globalization,close cooperation with developing countries,and a proactive and peaceful foreign policy are important factors in improving China’s status in the diverse global network system.

Understanding the Global Identification with China’s Stories: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

Cross-cultural storytelling is a primary way for humankind to seek mutual recognition of value orientations between cultures,which facilitates the ability to jointly address the problems of human existence in the context of globalization.In this study,we conducted an interview survey of 6,130 respondents who were college students or graduates from 107 countries.The results show that there were a number of cross-cultural values embodied in China’s stories seen by the respondents as part of a common vision for the future of humankind and widely identified guidance on collaborative responses to global challenges.These cross-cultural values are common prosperity,ecological harmony,individual-collective integration,the urgency of global peace,as well as respect for multicultural and indigenous development paths.

Spatio-temporal Variation Characteristics of Extreme Climate Events and Their Teleconnections to Large-scale Ocean-atmospheric Circulation Patterns in Huaihe River Basin,China During 1959–2019

Huaihe River Basin(HRB) is located in China’s north-south climatic transition zone,which is very sensitive to global climate change.Based on the daily maximum temperature,minimum temperature,and precipitation data of 40 meteorological stations and nine monthly large-scale ocean-atmospheric circulation indices data during 1959–2019,we present an assessment of the spatial and temporal variations of extreme temperature and precipitation events in the HRB using nine extreme climate indices,and analyze the teleconnection relationship between extreme climate indices and large-scale ocean-atmospheric circulation indices.The results show that warm extreme indices show a significant(P < 0.05) increasing trend,while cold extreme indices(except for cold spell duration) and diurnal temperature range(DTR) show a significant decreasing trend.Furthermore,all extreme temperature indices show significant mutations during 1959-2019.Spatially,a stronger warming trend occurs in eastern HRB than western HRB,while maximum 5-d precipitation(Rx5day) and rainstorm days(R25) show an increasing trend in the southern,central,and northwestern regions of HRB.Arctic oscillation(AO),Atlantic multidecadal oscillation(AMO),and East Atlantic/Western Russia(EA/WR) have a stronger correlation with extreme climate indices compared to other circulation indices.AO and AMO(EA/WR) exhibit a significant(P < 0.05) negative(positive)correlation with frost days and diurnal temperature range.Extreme warm events are strongly correlated with the variability of AMO and EA/WR in most parts of HRB,while extreme cold events are closely related to the variability of AO and AMO in eastern HRB.In contrast,AMO,AO,and EA/WR show limited impacts on extreme precipitation events in most parts of HRB.

Spatial Differentiation,Typological Structure,and Influencing Factors of A-grade Scenic Spots in China

Tourism scenic spots serve as direct attractions for tourists and crucial drivers for the transformation and upgrading of the tourism industry,so they play an irreplaceable role in the development of the tourism sector.The quantity and grades of A-grade scenic spots are the mainstay of competition in various tourism markets,and their spatial layout is very important for the development of regional tourism.Using 11970 A-grade scenic spots in China as the research sample,and methods such as the Nearest Neighbor Index Method,Kernel Density Estimation Method,and Grid Dimension Method,the spatial distribution,typological structure,and influencing factors of A-grade tourist attractions were analyzed to identify the main natural,economic,and social factors influencing the spatiotemporal pattern of A-grade scenic spots.The results indicated that China’s A-grade scenic spots exhibit clustering characteristics in their spatial distribution.The kernel density center shows a spatial pattern of“multiple cores,with secondary cores surrounding,and a gradual decrease”.The spatial structure is fractal and complex,with significant regional differences and a notable scale-free range.The types of tourist destinations and products exhibit distinct regional features,with a higher concentration of scenic spots in the regions in South China and East China,which are characterized by favorable natural and economic conditions and convenient transportation.A-grade scenic spots are densely distributed around the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the eastern regions such as Shanghai,Zhejiang,and Jiangsu provinces.Analyzing the spatial distribution characteristics of A-grade scenic spots in China contributes to our understanding of the complexity of scenic spot layout and spatial connections,which provides a basis for optimizing the layout of tourism development within regions,the rational allocation of resources,enhancing the quality and efficiency of the tourism industry,and promoting sustained and healthy regional economic development.It is conducive to the strategic work of tourism development and rural revitalization in China,and serves as a reference for decision-making.

Evolution and Governance of the Structure of Marine Economic Networks in China’s Coastal Areas: Based on Sea-related A-share Listed Companies

Data on discrete,isolated attributes of the marine economy are often used in traditional marine economic research.However,as the focus of urban research shifts from internal static attributes to external dynamic linkages,the importance of marine economic net-work research is beginning to emerge.The construction of the marine economic network in China’s coastal areas is necessary to change the flow of land and sea resources and optimize regional marine economic development.Employing data from headquarters and branches of sea-related A-share listed enterprises to construct the marine economic network in China,we use social network analysis(SNA)to discuss the characteristics of its evolution as of 2010,2015,and 2020 and its governance.The following results were obtained.1)In terms of topological characteristics,the scale of the marine economic network in China’s coastal areas has accelerated and expan-ded,and the connections have become increasingly close;thus,this development has complex network characteristics.2)In terms of spatial structure,the intensity of the connection fluctuates and does not form stable development support;the group structure gradually becomes clear,but the overall pattern is fragmented;there are spatial differences in marine economic agglomeration radiation;the radi-ation effect of the eastern marine economic circle is obvious;and the polarization effect of northern and southern marine economic circles is significant.On this basis,we construct a framework for the governance of a marine economic network with the market,the government,and industry as the three governing bodies.By clarifying the driving factors and building objectives of marine economic network construction,this study aims to foster the high-quality development of China’s marine economy.

Entrepreneurial Spirit for China in the New Era and Strategies for Cultivation

What type of entrepreneurial spirit is needed for China’s new era,and how can we unlock its innovation potential?Answers to these questions will unleash vital forces to drive China’s high-quality economic development.After reviewing the theories,dimensions,features,and limitations of the entrepreneurial spirit in the Western context,we concluded that the entrepreneurial spirit in China’s new era,which is characterized by patriotism,innovation,trustworthiness,adherence to the law,fulfillment of social responsibilities,and a global horizon,has overcome the limitations that come with self-interested entrepreneurship in the context of Western economics.This is a major step forward in the development of theories on entrepreneurial spirit.In the development context of the new era,this paper argues that the entrepreneurial spirit should become an important force at the individual level to implement the new development concept,foster the new development paradigm,and promote high-quality development in the new stage.This paper provides answers to the question of what type of entrepreneurial spirit China’s new era requires.Finally,this paper presents basic strategies for cultivating entrepreneurial spirit in the context of China’s new era,emphasizing the importance to promote the healthy growth of young entrepreneurs,ensure their business autonomy,develop a multi-tiered capital market,implement the factor market reforms,improve the business climate,and accelerate the digital transition.

GDI and GSI: China’s New Propositions for Global Governance

In the post-pandemic era,the global economic and security landscapes are fraught with complexities and uncertainties.Among them,four risk flashpoints merit attention:Certain countries are raising interest rates to subdue inflation,despite their already high levels of debt;the bulk commodities market is experiencing volatility,leading to global turbulence and change;trade protectionism is at the forefront of major-power rivalry in political and economic spheres;and regional security crises are compounding international tensions.Behind those flashpoints are contradictions that obstruct world peace and progress,including development imbalances,governance gaps,and structural tensions in global security.In the face of uncertainties,it is crucial for China to seize strategic opportunities and transform crises into favorable situations.China has launched the Global Development Initiative(GDI)and the Global Security Initiative(GSI)to contribute to global prosperity and security.The two initiatives demonstrate China’s commitment to addressing global deficits in peace,development,security,and governance.

Transitivity Analysis of the Energy in China’s New Era

At present,with the steady development of the global economy,more and more countries begin to pay attention to the impact of ecological environment on economic development and human society,so the ecological environment has become a global issue that cannot be ignored in today’s era.Therefore,from the perspective of the ecological philosophy of Diversity&Harmony as well as Interaction&Co-existence,this paper will conduct ecological discourse analysis on the Energy in China’s New Era based on the transitivity system of systemic-functional grammar,and use the Corpus analysis software UAM Corpus Tool 3.3x to label and make statistics on the transitivity system,aiming to explore the distribution characteristics of the transitivity system in this white paper.Through the transitivity analysis of the white paper,this study helps readers to have a deeper understanding of the positive significance contained in the white paper.To a certain extent,it enables readers at home and abroad to understand China’s stance on energy issues and the positive image of China in energy ecology.It also awaken readers’awareness of environmental protection and acquire good habits of resource conservation to be in harmony between human and nature for sustainable development.

Historical review and reflections on the participation of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of epidemics in the People’s Republic of China (from 1950 until now)

Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, both the Communist Party and the government have placed great emphasis on the advancement of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture and moxibustion have been actively involved in combating major epidemics such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and COVID-19. This article conducts a historical review of these three significant cases to elucidate how the acupuncture community has effectively utilized its unique advantages and characteristics through theoretical discussions, clinical practices, experimental research, as well as receiving administrative leadership and political support from the Communist Party of China and government. We provide an objective evaluation of their effectiveness while summarizing historical experiences to serve as a reference for future utilization of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy in epidemic relief efforts. Additionally, propose four suggestions: strengthening Party leadership and enhancing political support;timely summarization of experiences to establish programs and systems;deepening scientific research by integrating experimental findings with clinical practice;focusing on public awareness campaigns and education to solidify grassroots foundations.

Analysis of New Senior English for China Student’s Book 1

This article will firstly discuss the context overview of English teaching and learning in China. Under thiscircumstance, a problematic element will be examined of the New Senior English for China Student’s Book 1 and critical appraisal ofhow this element relates to other elements of curriculum development will be analyzed. The recommended changes and demonstrationmechanisms for evaluating the changes are put forward in the last two parts.

Supply-Side Structural Reforms and China's Potential Economic Growth Rate

This paper examines the effect of supply-side structural reforms on China＇s potential economic growth rate in the coming decade according to the data the authors have gathered. Under the rapid growth scenario with the implementation of supply-side structural reforms, China＇s potential economic growth rate will reach an average of 6.5% and 5.8% respectively in the 13th Five-year Plan （2016-2020） and 14th Five-year Plan （2021-2025） periods. These rates are 0.2 and 0.3 percentage points higher, respectively, than that under the baseline scenario with the inertia of historic trends. In implementing supply-side structural reforms, China must transform governmental functions, break monopolies, create a comprehensive competitive market environment, foster the creation of pro-innovation mechanisms, refocus on quality and efficiency, and raise capital utilization and labor productivity.

基于程函面波成像的华北克拉通岩石圈三维高分辨率S波速度结构研究

利用“中国地震科学台阵探测”项目Ⅱ期和Ⅲ期的流动地震台站以及中国区域地震台网中的部分固定台站的观测资料,采用程函面波成像方法获得了华北克拉通及周边区域10—120 s周期的瑞雷面波相速度分布和高分辨率的三维S波速度结构,并基于该速度模型估算了岩石圈厚度分布。结果显示,华北克拉通内部岩石圈厚度除了存在“西厚东薄”的一级分布特征外,还存在一些更小尺度的差异,包括鄂尔多斯地块内部岩石圈“南厚北薄”、鄂尔多斯地块周缘断陷带岩石圈显著的不均匀减薄以及燕山构造带与其南侧华北平原之间的显著差异等。山西断陷带北部与南部地区上地幔浅部(<100 km)存在不同程度的低速异常,它们被中部的高速异常区所分隔。在150 km以下深度从太行山南缘向北至山西断陷北缘存在一条NNE向展布的显著低速异常带,表明上地幔浅部南北部的低速异常在深部相连。结合已有的其它成像结果,我们推测这些低速异常起源于更深处(>200 km),并与由太平洋俯冲板块的滞留脱水导致的上地幔热物质上涌和小尺度地幔对流等密切相关。燕山构造带与华北平原的岩石圈结构存在明显差异,前者遭受的岩石圈破坏改造程度明显弱于后者,张家口—渤海地震带位于这两种不同壳幔结构的过渡带,地震活动较强,我们认为深部结构和热作用的显著差异,以及青藏高原远场挤压效应的共同作用是导致该区地震活动较强的主要原因。

东北地区土地覆被格局变化模拟:基于CLUE-S和Markov-CA模型的对比分析

研究以遥感解译的东北地区2000年、2010年、2015年的土地覆被变化为基础,充分考虑自然和社会因素对土地覆被变化的影响,分别通过CLUE-S模型和Markov-CA模型对东北地区2015年和2030年土地覆被格局进行模拟,研究结果表明:通过与遥感解译的2015年实际土地覆被类型数据对比验证,CLUE-S模型和Markov-CA模型模拟结果的总体Kappa指数分别为0.9700和0.9649,结果表明2种模型的模拟结果较为理想,CLUE-S模型的模拟精度较Markov-CA模型更高。2015—2030年东北地区草地、耕地、湿地、其他用地和水体面积呈现下降趋势,林地、人工表面面积呈现增加趋势,人地关系越发紧张。东北地区作为生态环境相对脆弱的区域需警惕不可持续的土地覆被变化,需权衡生态保护、粮食增加与基础设施建设的用地需求和协调发展。

How did the price and income elasticities of natural gas demand in China evolve from 1999 to 2015? The role of natural gas price reform

As a cleaner,high-efficiency,and low-carbon fuel,natural gas has been an important fuel resource for China.To achieve a substantial increase in natural gas demand,China has sought to reform its natural gas pricing mechanism.Employing a set of unbalanced panel data for China’s 30 provinces covering 1999-2015,this study aims to estimate the evolving price and income elasticities of natural gas demand and explore the effect of natural gas price reform in China.For this purpose,a series of econometric techniques allowing for cross-sectional dependence and slope homogeneity is utilized.The results suggest that although natural gas demand in China still lacks negative price elasticity,the phenomenon is improving.Moreover,the estimates suggest that natural gas demand in China is indeed becoming increasingly sensitive to income changes.Our estimates also provide strong evidence in favor of the effect of natural gas price reform on the change in price elasticity as the price elasticity decreases in five of the seven regions.In addition,the results indicate large variations in the change in price and income elasticities of natural gas demand across China’s regions.Natural gas demand is becoming more price inelastic in Southwest China and Northwest China,while such demand in North China and East China responds less sensitively to income changes.These findings offer several policy suggestions for the reform of China’s natural gas market at the national and regional levels.

Between Tao and Instruments:Railways,China,and the World From the Perspective of Modern Thought(1875-1936)

In the evolution of modern railway thought,it includes not only the discussion of railway planning,sovereignty,debt,and construction,but also the discussion of spiritual guiding ideology such as“Tao,body and utility”and“material and spirit”.From the perspective of the relationship between road and equipment,the development of modern railway thought in China has experienced three stages.During the Westernization Movement,Li Hongzhang and other people expounded the benefits brought by railway construction from the angle of“utility”,and believed that there was still a unity of“Tao and style”.After the Sino-Japanese Naval Battle,with the emergence of the theory of railway sovereignty and the theory of dividing China,Kang Youwei and others questioned the thought of Westernization school.The unified Tao body was divided into two parts:China and the West.After the May Fourth Movement,railway,as a product of western material civilization,was compared with Eastern spiritual civilization by Liang Shuming,Li Dazhao,and others.The conflict between material and spirit made the Western“Tao style”evolve into the Europe-American way of pursuing“scientific spirit”and the Soviet-Russian way of exploring the ideas of revolution and transformation.The railway has thus become an important carrier of the“scientific spirit”and socialism.

Counteraction to China?Impact of the U.S.International Development Finance Corporation on China’s Development Finance

The United States passed the Better Utilization of Investment Leading to Development(BUILD Act),as a counterweight to China’s overseas development activities.Under the Act,the US established a new federal agency,the U.S.International Development Finance Corporation(DFC),to enhance U.S.development financing capabilities.To better understand the impact of the DFC on China’s development finance,this article analyzes the DFC’s purpose,functions,structure,and funding.Then it focuses on the purpose of establishing the DFC,providing a preliminary analysis of the potential motivation for its establishment.It also compares the China Development Bank(CDB)and the DFC based on their focused sectors.Finally,through an in-depth analysis of financial frictions in China-U.S.relations,this article argues that the DFC competes with China’s overseas development financing activities in the context of broader strategic competition between China and the U.S.

A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis of China’s Free Trade Zones:Status and Evolutionary Trends

The China free trade zone,crucial for advancing a new open economy,has gained significant attention lately.We analyzed 885 papers from Peking University Core and CSSCI journals(2012-2023)using CiteSpace for visualization.Our research results indicate that the literature on China’s free trade zone peaked with 171 articles in 2015,and gradually returned to an average of 45 articles per year.The main research focuses in this field include“institutional innovation”,“negative list”,“financial innovation”,“financial openness”,“opening up to the outside world”,and“economic growth”.In addition,cutting-edge analysis indicates that“dual circulation”and“blockchain”are future research trends.The main authors of the literature include Yang Bin,Zhu Xiaolin,Yuan Bo,Li Meng,Zhao Liang,and others.Their affiliated institutions,research institutes,and universities have not yet formed a clear core circle of authors;The top three research institutions with the highest number of publications are the International Trade and Economic Cooperation Research Institute of the Ministry of Commerce,Kaiyuan Law School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University,and the Comprehensive Research Institute of the Free Trade Zone of Sun Yatsen University.This article delves into the current hot topics and progress in the research of China’s free trade zones,providing important references and inspirations for future scholars in this field.

Mg/Ca,Ba/Ca,and S/Ca ratios as environmental and growth proxies for bivalve shells from the Haima cold seep,South China Sea

Bivalve shell fossils,cemented by authigenic carbonates,are widely spread in the Haima cold seep,Qiongdongnan Basin of the South China Sea(SCS).In this study,we examined an element profile of Gigantidas platifrons in the Haima cold seeps at a water depth of 1381 m.Based on the scanning electron microscope(SEM)analyses,the prismatic layer and nacreous layer were identified,which are characterized by prismatic structure and stratified structure,respectively.In addition,the profile can be subdivided into two parts:altered and unaltered zones.Laser inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(LA-ICP-MS)mapping shows that the element concentrations of the altered zones were influenced by the authigenic carbonate rocks,whereas the element concentrations of unaltered zones remain stable.In-situ X-ray diffraction(XRD)analyses show that the mineral constituent of the prismatic layer is mainly composed of aragonite.Along with the growth profile,Mg/Ca ratios of unaltered zones have minor variations,ranging 0.72-0.97 mmol/mol(mean=0.87 mmol/mol),with estimated temperatures of 3.8-4.1℃,indicating that the temperature of the surrounding seawater remains constant and agree with the measured data of 3.9℃which was conducted by a conductivity-temperature-depth system(CTD).The minor variations of Ba/Ca ratios(0.01-0.06 mmol/mol;mean=0.04 mmol/mol)indicate a relatively stabilized salinity of the surrounding seawater.S/Ca ratios show large variations of 0.04-4.15 mmol/mol(mean=1.37 mmol/mol).S/Ca ratios have regular variations which generally correspond to the variations of the Mg/Ca ratios,highlighting that the S/Ca ratios of bivalve shells show the potential to reflect the growth rate of the Gigantides.However,further studies should be carried out on the understanding of the links between the S/Ca ratios and seepage intensity of cold-seep fluids.

Human Rights in China:Exploration and Development of Whole-process People’s Democracy

Whole-process people’s democracy represents a new exploration of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era as well as a novel and important method for protecting the human rights of the Chinese people.It is conducive to solving a multitude of problems hindering the protection of civil rights and political rights.The greatest highlight of whole-process people’s democracy is that the people are the masters of their own country and exercise the power to govern the state through“extensive participation and consultation.”China’s experience and approaches in advancing whole-process people’s democracy provide a reference for other countries.